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8 reasons you should sell direct view LEDs

March 18, 2019

8 reasons you should sell direct view LEDs
If you want to see where an industry is heading, watch where the biggest manufacturers are investing. It might surprise you to learn that most major manufacturers of large format displays have entered the DLED (direct view LED) market. DLEDs have many upsides, and over the past 18 months, the technology has come down in cost and improved in many areas. Before you take on your next video wall project, consider these 8 benefits of DLEDs.
  1. Brightness—The brightness of typical LCDs is around 500 nits, while specialized units can reach 2,500. If deployed in areas with strong ambient lighting, even the best LCDs can appear washed out and difficult to view. DLEDs for outdoor applications can reach 9,000 nits, making them a brighter and better choice for most outdoor applications.
  2. Contrast—Because DLEDs can turn off pixels that aren’t being used, contrast is higher, making DLEDs a great choice when you need stunning content in most lighting conditions.
  3. Resolution—Today’s DLEDs come in a variety of pixel pitches (the size of LEDs and space between them). Gone are the days of low-resolution LEDs being the only option. Today, you can create 8k video walls if the application calls for it.
  4. Size and shape—If you’re building a video wall with LCDs, the result will be limited by the size and shape of available displays. However, DLED-based walls can be flat, curved, wrapped around corners and more. With no size limit or set aspect ratio, with DLEDs you’re really only limited by your imagination.
  5. No bezels—With no bezels, you can seamlessly piece together DLEDs to create large and uniquely shaped displays with no visible interruptions between units.
  6. Lifespan and servicing—While LCD-based signage solutions might have a 5-year lifespan, DLEDs are rated to last 10 years, significantly lowering the TCO. Indeed, some DLEDs have a 100,000-hour lifespan with more time between servicing. In addition, DLEDs can be easily replaced on-site, reducing maintenance costs.
  7. Tougher—If you’re using an LCD for any outdoor application or one where the unit has to be protected from extreme temperatures or humidity, you’re going to need to include an enclosure and have an understanding of how to properly seal and vent the unit. Outdoor DLEDs, on the other hand, are purpose-built to withstand harsh environments.
  8. Price—The higher upfront cost of DLEDs could be the biggest sticking point when it comes to pitching a video wall. While prices have been steadily dropping, DLEDs are still more expensive than LCD alternatives. However, make sure you consider the lifetime cost of the solution and other benefits mentioned above before you discount DLEDs.
If you have questions about DLED technology or need help designing a video wall solution for your customer, contact Tom Jones, Ingram Micro’s pro AV expert.